We would like to congratulate Ferid Kevrić on being awarded the prestigious Honorary Master of the University (HonMUniv) award, in recognition of his exceptional achievements in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Derby. This is truly a great achievement, to be recognised in such a way, to be worthy and to receive it from an institution such as the University of Derby.
Ferid is a man of extraordinary personal courage. He was born and educated in the former Republic of Yugoslavia, graduating from the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo. He joined the Yugoslav Army as an officer, serving as a major until 1992. At the beginning of the war in Bosnia, Ferid felt he had no choice but to secretly desert the army. In May 1992, he escaped assassination and travelled to the United Kingdom as an asylum seeker. He arrived in Derby not knowing a word of English. 
With the support of his fellow countrymen, he founded the Bosnian Community for the Assistance of the People of the Former Yugoslavia, helping all people regardless of religion or nationality. Under Ferid’s leadership, the Centre became a haven for social support, networking, and domestic and legal advice. It provided comfort and a small piece of Bosnia on English soil.
With the recent arrival of refugees and asylum seekers to Derby, Ferid opened the doors of the Centre to them all, welcoming everyone regardless of race, colour or religion and, crucially, sharing his own experience of arriving in another country. Ferid helped make the Bosnian Centre a second home for those who had to leave behind friends and family, often fleeing the threat of torture or death.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Ferid was awarded the University’s Honorary Master of Arts award at the University of Derby’s presentation and awards ceremony held on 16 November 2022 at the Derby Arena. We are extremely proud of Ferid and would like to thank the University of Derby for recognising his achievements and altruistic work in the community.
BH Derby Association
